Janet W. Ferguson – Romantic Excerpt – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Janet W. Ferguson shares her characters’ first kiss in an excerpt from her latest Contemporary Romance, Healing Skye. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for a Kindle copy of Star Rising, the story of Skye’s sister which precedes this novel. Deadline: Jan 15th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Janet:

Hi Shannon! Thank you for having me! One of the hardest things for me to write is a kiss, which is kind of funny considering I write inspirational romance! I think this one turned out kind of nice, though, for a first kiss between Pete and Skye in my new novel Healing Skye.

Excerpt from Healing Skye by Janet W. Ferguson: 

Her gaze locked onto him. She closed the car door and took a step closer, then paused. “I’m wet and probably look like I’ve been in a swamp.”

“Well, I usually smell like bait, but you… You look radiant to me.” Not daring to move a muscle, he waited, his breathing stalled. The last thing he wanted was to frighten her away.

Nearing, she extended her arms, and he took that as permission. As he pulled her close, his chest expanded with the air easing into his lungs. They held each other for a long minute, her smaller form fitting perfectly next to him, his pulse racing, until she pulled her head back to look at him.

Those caramel-colored eyes caressed his. “Thank you for watching Sparrow.”

“Glad to help.” Swallowing hard, he fought the urge to taste her lips. Giving into that temptation could ruin everything.

Yet, she still held his gaze.

“Skye, I…” Where was he going with that?

“Mmm-hmm?” she breathed.

Was she as drawn to him as he was to her? “I’ve come to care deeply for you, but I’d never do anything to endanger our friendship.”

Even in the dim moonlight, he knew she was blushing, but she didn’t pull away. “I think I feel the same.”

“You think?” he teased and gave her his best puppy-dog look.

A small laugh made its way out of her throat, and her eyes crinkled with a shy smile. “I do.” Her

Giveaway

expression wilted. “Except, I’ve never been in a relationship. Never dated. Nothing.” Her gaze fell to his chest. “I’m too broken.”

“Skye,” he whispered. “Look at me.” He cupped her cheeks, and she raised her eyes to his. “We’re all broken.”

Her gaze sought his. Searching. “What if I’m shattered beyond repair?”

“I wish I could take away your pain, but I’m just a man. God can heal our hearts. Your heart. He can lift us up and help us go on, despite what life or evil men dole out.”

“I hope you’re right.” Her hands covered his. “Because I’d like to…”

He shuddered at the slight touch. “You’d like to what?”

Her teeth caught her lip, and she dropped her gaze to his mouth. “I’d like to try.”

“I’ll let you take the lead.” He lowered his forehead almost to hers, so close her breath stroked his skin. “However you’re comfortable.”

Her face turned up, her look penetrating. Heat charged through him, but he didn’t dare move.

Hesitantly, soft lips brushed his, and her fingers feathered through his hair. His pulse thudded, and blood rushed in his ears. His thinking stalled as she took her time exploring his mouth with her kisses. Gently, he kissed her back, and all at once, with every single fiber of his being, he knew.

There was no turning back now. He was hopelessly in love with this woman. With Skye.

About Janet: Janet W. Ferguson is a Christy Award finalist and the FHL Readers Choice Award winning author of realistic inspirational fiction. An avid reader, she loved books so much she found a job as a librarian so she could be around them all day. Then she turned that love of story into writing faith-filled novels with characters who feel like best friends. You’ll laugh and cry as the quirky heroes and heroines chase their happily ever after.

Janet and her husband live in Mississippi where they say y’all a lot, and she forces him to visit the beach as often as possible. They have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a cat that allows them to share the space.

I love to hear from readers! Use the contact page, or subscribe to my newsletter on the Under the Southern Sun page for exclusive book news and giveaways: Janet’s Website

Learn more & connect: 

Janet’s Bookbub           Janet’s Facebook            

About the book – Healing Skye:

People can’t be trusted, but she’s forced to take a chance.

Animals always made more sense than humans did to marine biologist Skye Youngblood. After her mother’s suicide, she left Alabama and never looked back. These days, she pours her heart into protecting nature’s sea creatures. When she returns to Dauphin Island, Alabama, for a temporary manatee migration study, her dark past is much too close. She can’t let her guard down. But how can she keep her heart hidden when a kind man with a genuine smile makes her want a fresh start?

Charter fishing pays the bills for widower Pete Thompson and his little girl, but like his father, a pastor, Pete can’t help but fish for men. Only, after growing up under constant scrutiny as a preacher’s kid, Pete’s ways are a bit more unconventional. And the bulk of his life revolves around raising his precious daughter.

When he witnesses the car wreck of a new marine biologist on the island, it doesn’t take a genius to see that more than just her physical pain needs tending. Pete feels called to help Skye find true healing, but he’s navigating dangerous waters. And he’s not at all sure he’ll walk away unscathed.

Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win?

Get your copy now!    Healing Skye – Amazon

Interested in Janet’s other titles?  Janet’s books – Amazon

Question for Readers: What are your thoughts on kisses in Christian fiction?

Come back Jan 7th for Angela Breidenbach!